Open enrollment starts Nov. 1 for beWellNM but many may enroll early
Oct. 12—Open enrollment starts Nov. 1 for BeWellnm, the state's heavily subsidized health insurance exchange, but many New Mexicans can enroll now.
People who have household incomes of less than 200% of the federal poverty line can enroll at any time in the program, which offers insurance policy options for people who don't receive health care through employers, those who are self-employed and retirees.
Patients who no longer qualify for Medicaid but earn less than 138% of the federal poverty line also can enroll in the exchange before the open enrollment period begins.
The federal poverty line in New Mexico is net monthly household income of $1,215 for one person, $1,644 for two people, $2,072 for three people and $2,500 for a four-member household, according to the state Human Services Department.
About 38% of BeWellnm's 45,000 enrollees quality for premiums of $10 or less per month through the state's Healthcare Affordability Fund, approved in 2021 by the New Mexico Legislature and put in place for the first time this year to reduce the cost of health care insurance for many.
"Those [earning] under 400% of the federal poverty line will qualify for some sort of subsidy," BeWellnm spokeswoman Alex Sanchez said.
That's an annual income of nearly $60,000 for one person.
She said one-third of this year's enrollees paid no premiums to secure health insurance, and 50% paid $50 or less per month.
"We encourage consumers to check for all the subsidies they qualify for," Sanchez said.
Consumers can review health plans and enroll at BeWellnm.com by phone at 833-862-3935, email at help@nmhix.com or in person at 7601 Jefferson St. NE, Suite 120, Albuquerque.
Several blogs (tinyurl.com/4tc4byaw) also help patients navigate the complexities of health care coverage.
The four providers that offered health plans for 2023 will return in 2024, and United Healthcare will join the lineup. The others are Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, Molina Health Care of New Mexico, Presbyterian Health Plan and Ambetter from Western Sky Community Care.
Each of the carriers offer the 10 essential health plan benefits: outpatient care, emergency services, inpatient care at a hospital, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services, laboratory services, preventative care and pediatric services.
New Mexicans can enroll until Dec. 31 for coverage that starts Jan. 1. Open enrollment continues until Jan. 15, with policies secured in January going into effect Feb. 1.
